Changing Places Awareness Day pops up every year on 19 July, marking a day to cheer for all the hard work put into getting Changing Places toilets up and running. It’s a bit like a birthday party for a really good cause! But there’s more to it than just a pat on the back; it’s also about shining a big spotlight on why these special toilets matter a whole lot to countless folks with severe disabilities who rely on them. Fancy knowing more about the campaign or keen to roll up your sleeves and join the fun on Changing Places Awareness Day? Keep reading; you won’t want to miss a single moment of this exciting journey to make a real difference!
About Changing Places toilets
The Changing Places toilet campaign was launched in 2005. It was to campaign for specialist accessible toilets to be installed in public places, which includes an adult-sized, height adjustable changing table and ceiling hoist.
There is said to be a quarter of a million disabled people in the UK who require these facilities. Yet too often, because there aren’t enough of these facilities, severely disabled children and adults have to be changed on dirty toilet floors or stay at home.
There are currently 1,330 verified Changing Places toilets across the UK – but we need a lot more.
Consultation on Changing Places toilets
The Changing Places Consortium is calling for legislation to make it compulsory for every new, large public building to include a Changing Places facility. The Government is currently consulting on this, which is fantastic. But the Consortium needs to ensure proposals become reality and the voices of those who use Changing Places toilets are heard.
You can find out more on this consultation on the GOV.uk website. Plus share your thoughts by completing this survey. Responses must be sent by Sunday 21 July 2019.
How to get involved in Changing Places awareness day 2019
Changing Places awareness day is on Friday 19 July and there are many ways you can get involved:
• Send Changing Places leaflets to places you think need a Changing Places toilet.
• Write a letter to your local councillor or MP.
• Send a letter to your local newspaper editor asking them to raise awareness of the campaign
• Share stories about people who need Changing Places toilets.
• Take a photo using the #CPselfie kit and share it online.
• Start a petition (online or offline) to get a Changing Places installed.
• Hold a public meeting to talk about the importance of Changing Places toilets.
• Respond to planning consultations asking them to include a Changing Places toilet.
• Tell as many people as you can about the Changing Places campaign!
If you are getting involved in Changing Places awareness day, be sure to share what you’re up to on the DHorizons Tribe Facebook group and on Twitter @DHorizons.
By Emma Purcell
More on Disability Horizons…
- Disabled toilets: how to have a successful ‘comfort break’
- 8 accessible tourist attractions across the UK for anyone with a disability
- 8 highly-rated accessible places to visit this summer
Originally posted on 16/07/2019 @ 1:37 pm
